Frederick douglass
1 Jessica Chaffin
March 5, 2014
English 233
Class Hour: 11:00am-12:15pm The Narrative Life of Frederick Douglass The Narrative Life of Frederick Douglass is a prime example of someone overcoming many obstacles in life in the pursuit to be a free man and to obtain the American dream. Frederick Douglass will always be considered one of the most important figures in America’s struggle for civil rights and freedom. Douglass is not only an inspiration to the African American community but he is a hero to many. His struggle for freedom and self-discovery stands the testament of time for all people. Douglass was born into slavery in 1818, he eventually escaped him grim future as a slave to become one of the most influential writers. He overcame all of his obstacles without any sort of proper education. Douglass was able to teach himself to read and write and this led him to his freedom. Douglass’ courage engaged readers into his life as a slave. His struggle throughout his life did not cease his determination to be free. Being born into slavery Douglass was unaware of his age, he remembers feeling unhappy that the white children knew their own age, he states; “that this was a way for the masters to keep the slaves ignorant” (1). From an early age, we can see that Douglass was very intuitive and this innate way thinking eventually led him to freedom. Douglass also never knew who his father was and this could have been a way to hinder his hopes of freedom, but even at an early age he was determined to live the American dream. His road to life and self-discovery wasn’t easy but we are able to feel his emotions through his writing. Captain Anthony was Douglass’s first master, in these early years he witnessed many unsightly beatings. On one of his first accounts he watched his aunt Hester get viciously beat and whipped, by an overseer by the name of Mr. Plummer. Young Douglass is so terrified by this that he hides in a closet. Plummer was a cruel man
March 5, 2014
English 233
Class Hour: 11:00am-12:15pm The Narrative Life of Frederick Douglass The Narrative Life of Frederick Douglass is a prime example of someone overcoming many obstacles in life in the pursuit to be a free man and to obtain the American dream. Frederick Douglass will always be considered one of the most important figures in America’s struggle for civil rights and freedom. Douglass is not only an inspiration to the African American community but he is a hero to many. His struggle for freedom and self-discovery stands the testament of time for all people. Douglass was born into slavery in 1818, he eventually escaped him grim future as a slave to become one of the most influential writers. He overcame all of his obstacles without any sort of proper education. Douglass was able to teach himself to read and write and this led him to his freedom. Douglass’ courage engaged readers into his life as a slave. His struggle throughout his life did not cease his determination to be free. Being born into slavery Douglass was unaware of his age, he remembers feeling unhappy that the white children knew their own age, he states; “that this was a way for the masters to keep the slaves ignorant” (1). From an early age, we can see that Douglass was very intuitive and this innate way thinking eventually led him to freedom. Douglass also never knew who his father was and this could have been a way to hinder his hopes of freedom, but even at an early age he was determined to live the American dream. His road to life and self-discovery wasn’t easy but we are able to feel his emotions through his writing. Captain Anthony was Douglass’s first master, in these early years he witnessed many unsightly beatings. On one of his first accounts he watched his aunt Hester get viciously beat and whipped, by an overseer by the name of Mr. Plummer. Young Douglass is so terrified by this that he hides in a closet. Plummer was a cruel man